If someone was unfamiliar with the events of the last week and happened upon Tulane’s LBC quad on Friday evening – they might have thought they were at a football pep rally.

MICHAEL DeMOCKER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE
Tulane wide receiver Jacob Davis calls his teammate and friend Devon Walker "a fighter" during the Green Out Rally on campus for the Green Wave player seriously injured against Tulsa last week. Players spoke about their teammate, donations were collected, t-shirts bearing Walker's #18 were sold, and the band and cheerleaders performed on Friday, September 14, 2012.

Hundreds of students with green and white Tulane shirts milled about on the breezy evening waiting for the school’s band to kick things off with music. Cheerleaders barked out the Hullabaloo later as members of the football team belted out the familiar words.

But upon closer inspection, most in attendance were wearing the same number on the Tulane shirts – No. 18.

“A number that signify life and spirit to many,” Michael Lewis, the undergraduate student government president told the crowd.

The event --- Green Out Rally for Devon Walker – was a gathering to show support for the injured senior safety who is still in a Tulsa hospital recovering from surgery to stabilize his spine. Walker wears jersey No. 18 and was injured in the Green Wave’s 45-10 loss at Tulsa on Saturday. He broke his neck accidentally colliding with a player.

A week later, the campus and community had a spot to gather and support Walker even if Walker wasn’t on hand to enjoy it. The students videotaped the event and plan on mailing a video to him.

Not much is known about Walker’s physical progress – how much he is able to move following the ugly blow that left him motionless and needing emergency medical care on the field.

Running back Orleans Darkwa didn’t need Friday’s event to find out how much the campus cares. He can’t go anywhere without folks asking after Walker’s health.

“The teachers, when they find out we’re football players – it’s ‘How is Devon doing? Everybody is really concerned. It’s been great to see everyone’s concern or support. We haven’t been able to talk to him.”

Green Wave athletic director Rick Dickson has. He spent most of the last week in Tulsa with Walker. He spoke to the crowd Friday.

“I don’t want this to be a time of sadness, it’s a time for resolve and determination,” Dickson said. “That’s what he is doing. … From every moment from the time he woke up from surgery in recovery on Monday morning and smiled at his mother and father and myself, you knew that we had Devon back and that he was going to fight and stand tall and continue to represent.”

Under a tent before and after a short list of speakers from the university and team spoke, Leslie Butler worked sorting and helping sell fundraising T-Shirts that Tulane seniors Brad Girson and Jesse Schwartz designed.

The mother of sophomore running back Dante’ Butler, who towed along her daughter 5-year-old Jamari, said she wouldn’t have missed the event.

“I just can’t imagine what the family was going through,” Leslie said. “I came out to support and one of the workers with the printing company, she asked me can you help. That’s the least I can do is help for Devon. I can only imagine what the family is going through.”

Dante’, with his sister dodging around his legs, said the team is desperately missing Walker.

“We’re still not totally over it because in the back of our heads we know that one of our guys is out there suffering,” Dante’ said. “We try to take every day forward and forward but we know that one of our guys is down. All we can do is take one step forward and pray because God doesn’t make mistakes and don’t question what he does. By doing that, we just leave it in his hands and know that Devon will be back with us sometime soon.”

It’s not clear when Walker will be transported to a rehabilitation facility. Tulane officials said they did not know.

But one of Walker’s best friends – teammate and a receiver Jacob Davis – relayed a special message from Devon’s mother Inez.

“I talked to his mom a couple of hours ago and ….she just wanted to let you know that she is truly thankful for everything that everyone has done,” he said. “She has received all the messages and cards and she is in awe of all the prayers and love. From the bottom of her heart she wanted to thank ya’ll. She wanted to let you all know that Devon is in good spirits. He’s a fighter, he’s been a fighter his whole life. I told her I believe every word that she said because I know Devon is going to be back with us soon. We love Devin, we’re playing for Devon every week and we just want Devon to come back so we can throw a party for him.”

Usually Devon is the beat of the party – DJ’ing and the master of the sound system. Friend and fellow student Jasmine Roussell said Devon’s selection of music floated many college gatherings.

“He’s the DJ. The speakers – I’m 5-foot-2, the speakers are taller than me,” she said with a laugh.

Roussell has known Devon since they were freshmen.

“Devon is really sweet,” she said.

The turnout – a healthy mix of those who knew Devon and those who didn’t – touched members of the team and friends of Devon’s.

“I guess it makes you feel how special he is – how many people he impacted,” Roussell said.

Roussell was like most there – hoping for the best with very limited information on his condition.

“It’s not a lot (of news),” she said. “I guess everything is under wraps but it’s like I’m kind of sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for good news.”